Method and system for generating a 360-degree presentation of an object

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for generating an interactive rotatable 360-degree presentation of an object are disclosed. The methods and systems obtain data describing the object, where the data includes information about a number of images of the object, as well as additional information about the object. The images are automatically obtained and rearranged into at least one sequence of images substantially evenly distributed around 360 degrees. It is determined whether to add hotspot(s) to image(s), and if hotspot(s) are to be added, the hotspot(s) are automatically added to the image(s). The ordered images of the sequence(s) are then merged into an interactive rotatable 360-degree presentation of the object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many businesses want to use rotating images of their products toadvertise the products to potential consumers, allowing the potentialcustomers to see more of the product than simple stationary picturesoffer. Because the creation of rotating images is a complex process, notreadily performed by typical business personnel, there is a need for anautomated method or system that can create interactive 360-degreepresentations of a business' products from two-dimensional pictures ofthe products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include a computer-implementedmethod for generating an interactive rotatable 360-degree presentationof an object. The method includes obtaining data describing the object,where the data includes information about a plurality of images of theobject to be obtained and converted into the interactive rotatable360-degree presentation of the object, as well as additional informationabout the object. Such a presentation includes at least one view of theobject (for example, an exterior view or an interior view). Theplurality of images of the object are automatically obtained, and theplurality of images are rearranged into a sequence for each view. Asequence includes ordered images from a plurality of viewing angles ofthe object substantially evenly distributed around 360 degrees. Theprocess automatically determines whether to add at least one hotspot (anelement associated with a separate media element) and enable access tothe media element when selected by a viewer of the interactive rotatable360-degree presentation to image(s) in the sequence, and if hotspot(s)are to be added, the hotspot(s) are automatically added to the image(s).The process then merges the ordered images of the at least one sequenceinto at least one view, and merges the at least one view into aninteractive rotatable 360-degree presentation of the object.

In many embodiments, the data describing the object are contained in arecord that includes a plurality of data arranged in rows and columns,each row corresponding to a different object. In this case, obtainingthe data describing the object involves determining which columns of theplurality of data include information about images of the object to beobtained. Obtaining the data also involves determining which columns ofthe plurality of data include the additional information about theobject and which row of the plurality of data corresponds to the object.In such an embodiment, determining which row corresponds to the objectmay include, for each row, comparing data contained in the columns ofthe row with predetermined criteria.

In some embodiments, obtaining the plurality of images of the objectincludes obtaining them from a source that is separate from the sourceof the data describing the object. Such a source may be specified by theinformation about the plurality of images. The images may also beresized such that the images are an appropriate size for the interactiverotatable 360-degree presentation.

In some embodiments, rearranging the plurality of images into a sequenceinvolves determining the order for the images based on predeterminedinformation corresponding to the object or a source of the object. Partof the predetermined information may be expressed in a notationdescribing which images from the plurality of images should be includedin the sequence and in which order.

In many embodiments, rearranging the images into a sequence includesselecting images that correspond to an exterior view of the object forinclusion in one sequence, and selecting images that correspond to aninterior view of the object for inclusion in an additional sequence. Insuch embodiments, merging the images of the sequence(s) includes mergingthe ordered images of the sequence including exterior images into aninteractive rotatable 360-degree exterior view of the object, andmerging the ordered images of the additional sequence including interiorimages into an interactive rotatable 360-degree interior view of theobject.

In some embodiments, adding hotspot(s) to the image(s) includesdetermining a position for the hotspot(s) on each of the images and/ordetermining the separate media element based on predeterminedinformation corresponding to the object or the source of the object. Theseparate media element may be text, an additional image, a video, a webpage link, or an additional interactive rotatable 360-degreepresentation. In further embodiments, the hotspot(s) may be added if andonly if the additional information about the object (from the datadescribing the object) meets certain predetermined criteria.

A system for implementing the above method(s) may include at least aninterface and a processor. The interface (e.g., internet connection orremovable media) obtains data describing the object and obtains aplurality of images of the object, and may further allow the definitionof settings that control how data describing the object and images areobtained and processed. The processor automatically rearranges theplurality of images into at least one sequence of ordered images from aplurality of viewing angles of the object substantially evenlydistributed around 360 degrees. The processor further determines whetherto add at least one hotspot to at least one image in the at least onesequence, and if the at least one hotspot is to be added, automaticallyadds the at least one hotspot to the at least one image. The processormerges the ordered images of the at least one sequence into at least oneview, and merges the at least one view into an interactive rotatable360-degree presentation of the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer tothe same parts throughout the different drawings. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for generating aninteractive rotatable 360-degree presentation of an object, according toan example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for generating aninteractive rotatable 360-degree presentation of an object, according toan example embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3C are flow diagrams illustrating automatically rearranging aplurality of images into at least one sequence that includes orderedimages from a plurality of viewing angles, according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-4C are flow diagrams illustrating adding hotspot(s) to theimage(s) and displaying the hotspot(s), according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow diagrams illustrating rendering a rotation ofthe interactive rotatable 360-degree presentation of an object,according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a system for generating aninteractive rotatable 360-degree presentation of an object, according toan example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a computer system in which embodimentsof the present invention may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A description of example embodiments of the invention follows.

Embodiments of the present invention create a photorealistic,interactive rotatable 360-degree presentation of an object suitable fordisplay on a computer or mobile device, and allow users withouttechnical knowledge to create such presentations from their ownphotographs/images. As used herein, the terms “photograph,” “photo,”“picture,” and “image” refer to digital images capable of beingprocessed by a computer. Systems for creating such presentations mayinclude a creator component that automates the creation of interactiverotatable 360-degree presentations based on data and photographsprovided by a user; an integrator component that can automate theinsertion of the presentation into pages of the user's website; and amanager component that allows users to manage account settings andexisting presentations. One advantage of the disclosed embodiments isthe ability of users to create their own interactive rotatable360-degree presentations, in contrast to other service-bureau systems.Another advantage is that a single interactive rotatable 360-degreepresentation can display any of multiple rotating 360-degree views of anobject, which is particularly useful when the object being displayed isan automobile where the views can include exterior and interior views.Another advantage is that specific features of the object can behighlighted (e.g., with demarcations called “hotspots”). For eachhighlighted feature, the interactive rotatable 360-degree presentationcan display one or more hotspots on its images. When a viewer selects(e.g., clicks or taps) a hotspot, the interactive rotatable 360-degreepresentation displays the creator's choice of a text message, close-upimage, web page, or additional interactive rotatable 360-degreepresentation, for example. Such hotspots automatically follow theappropriate point on the interactive rotatable 360-degree presentationas the presentation rotates. Hotspots can be created by nontechnicalpersonnel or can be automatically created with little or no action bythe user.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 100 for generating aninteractive rotatable 360-degree presentation of an object, according toan example embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated method100 includes obtaining (105) data describing the object, where the dataincludes information about a plurality of images of the object to beobtained and converted into the interactive rotatable 360-degreepresentation of the object, as well as additional information about theobject. The process automatically obtains (110) the plurality of imagesof the object and rearranges (115) the plurality of images into at leastone sequence, where the sequence includes ordered images from aplurality of viewing angles of the object substantially evenlydistributed around 360 degrees. The process automatically determines(120) whether to add at least one hotspot (an element associated with aseparate media element and enabling access to the media element whenselected by a viewer of the interactive rotatable 360-degreepresentation of the object) to image(s) in the sequence(s), and if ahotspot is to be added, the process automatically adds (125) thehotspot(s) to the image(s). The process then merges (130) the orderedimages of the at least one sequence into at least one view, and merges(135) the at least one view into an interactive rotatable 360-degreepresentation of the object.

A user (e.g., a business, such as a car dealer) that uses the disclosedmethods or systems may also use the services of one of several servicebureaus known as “feed providers.” A feed provider stores and transmitsdata about the user's products (e.g., stock of vehicles for a cardealer), including digital photos uploaded by the user's photographer.In the case of a car dealer, the feed provider makes the vehicle datafor that particular car dealer, including links to downloadable copiesof the photos, available in a “feed file,” typically in acomma-separated values (CSV) format. The disclosed methods and systemsperiodically receive updated feed files from the feed provider for theparticular user.

The format of the feed file may vary among users (e.g., car dealers).For each user, the disclosed methods and systems must determine whichcolumns of the feed file are of interest. This determination is oftenmade when initiating interaction with a new user (e.g., car dealer) ofthe method/system. On a recurring basis, each time the embodiments ofthe present invention receive updated feed files from the feed provider,it is necessary to determine the relevant columns/rows of the feed fileand extract the relevant data from those columns/rows. The presentembodiments include an automated procedure to do so, an example of whichis described below.

Excerpts from two user's feed files are shown in the below tables, eachuser being a car dealer. In each case, a header row that specifiescolumn names is followed by multiple rows of data, each representing onevehicle. The columns that are included and how the columns are namedvaries from user to user (e.g., from dealer to dealer in the case of cardealers). For example, User #1 indicates whether a vehicle is new orused, while User #2 does not, and User #1 provides photo UniformResource Locators (URLs) in a column named ImageURL, while User #2 namesthe column PictureURLs.

TABLE 1 Example Feed File for User #1 Used Body Stock New Year MakeModel Trim Style Number VIN Invoice U 2012 Volvo S60 T6 Sedan C2044795YV1902FH 43041 U 2010 Volvo S80 V8 Sedan A1122388 YV1852AR 50512 U 2012Volvo S60 T5 Sedan C2080415 YV1622F5 34612 U 2012 Volvo XC60 3.2 PremierSUV C2268880 YV4940DZ 39722 U 2012 Volvo XC90 3.2 SUV C1622456 YV4952CZ44286 U 2012 Volvo XC90 3.2 SUV C1620042 YV4952CZ 40620 U 2012 Volvo S60T6 Sedan C2118828 YV1902FH 42876 U 2012 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design SedanC2095318 YV1902FH 49212 U 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 Premier SUV C2303987YV4902DZ 42307 U 2012 Volvo XC70 3.2 Wagon C1130666 YV49406Z 39175 U2013 Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design SUV D2380541 YV4902DZ 48724 U 2013 VolvoXC60 T6 Platinum SUV D2386786 YV4902DZ 47089 U 2013 Volvo S60 T5 SedanD2188834 YV1612FH 36373 U 2013 Volvo S60 T5 Premier Sedan D2199113YV1612FH 35997 U 2013 Volvo S60 T5 Premier Sedan D1208658 YV1612FS 0 U2011 Volvo XC60 T6 SUV B2211385 YV4902DZ 0 U 2011 Volvo XC90 3.2R-Design SUV B1593957 YV4952CT 0 U 2014 Volvo XC60 T6 SUV BE2545935YV4902FZ 41558 U 2014 Volvo XC90 3.2 Preimuer SUV E1686975 YV4952CZ43866 U 2013 Volvo S60 T5 Premier Sedan D2225850 YV1612FH 0 Used ImageModel Auto Internet Inventory Carfax New URLs Certified Code ID SpecialDate One U http://edg N S60T6 8194216 Y Mar. 5, 2014 Y U http://edg NS80V8 8194231 Y Dec. 14, 2009 N U N S60T5 8194247 N Sep. 2, 2014 Y Uhttp://edg N XC6032P 8428464 Y Sep. 13, 2013 Y U http://edg N XC90328428467 Y Jul. 2, 2014 Y U N XC9032 8962660 N Sep. 9, 2014 Y U N S60T68232172 N Sep. 3, 2014 Y U http://edg Y S60T6 9292806 Y Feb. 7, 2012 Y Uhttp://edg Y XC60T6PP 9321694 Y Apr. 15, 2014 Y U N XC70AWD 10118061 NSep. 4, 2014 Y U http://edg N XC60T6PT 11061759 Y Jul. 23, 2012 N Uhttp://edg N XC60T6PT 11562856 Y Sep. 5, 2012 N U http://edg N S60T5AWD11795014 Y Jun. 28, 2014 Y U http://edg N S60T5P 12573906 Y Nov. 28,2012 Y U http://edg N S60T5P 13839777 Y Mar. 7, 2013 Y U http://edg NXC60 13896673 Y Mar. 11, 2013 Y U http://edg N XC90AWD 14025691 Y Mar.28, 2011 Y U N XC60T6 18266050 N Sep. 9, 2014 Y U http://edg N XC9032PP18266116 N Dec. 20, 2013 N U http://edg N S60T5P 18504675 Y Jan. 10,2014 Y

TABLE 2 Example Feed File for User #2 Dealer Stock Inventory Picture IDVIN Number Year Make Model Since URLs Options CARFAX 7763 19XFB2F53CE307872 2012 Honda Civic Aug. 30, 2014 0:00http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- Honda Cer CARFAX Xba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/19XF 7763 19XFB2F56 CE308238 2012 HondaCivic Jul. 22, 2014 0:00 http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- HondaCer CARFAX X ba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/19XF 7763 19XFB2F9X CE3253532012 Honda Civic Aug. 25, 2014 0:00http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- Honda Cer CARFAX Xba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/19XF 7763 1HGCP2F3 CA054896 2012 HondaAccord Aug. 30, 2014 0:00 http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- HondaCer CARFAX X ba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCP2F3 CA1767172012 Honda Accord Jul. 15, 2014 0:00http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- Honda Cer CARFAX Xba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCP2F3 CA088843 2012 HondaAccord Aug. 30, 2014 0:00 http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- HondaCer CARFAX X ba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCP2F3 CA0930722012 Honda Accord Aug. 30, 2014 0:00http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- Honda Cer CARFAX Xba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCP2F4 CA235274 2012 HondaAccord Aug. 25, 2014 0:00 http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- HondaCer CARFAX X ba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCP2F6 CA2057372012 Honda Accord Jul. 1, 2014 0:00http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- Honda Cer CARFAX Xba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCP2F6 CA181250 2012 HondaAccord Aug. 25, 2014 0:00 http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- HondaCer CARFAX X ba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCP2F6 CA0595422012 Honda Accord Aug. 19, 2014 0:00http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- Honda Cer CARFAX Xba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCP2F8 CA005706 2012 HondaAccord Aug. 30, 2014 0:00 http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- HondaCer CARFAX X ba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCP3F8 BA0320112011 Honda Accord Aug. 28, 2014 0:00http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- Honda Cer CARFAX Xba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCP3F8 CA035330 2012 HondaAccord Jun. 23, 2014 0:00 http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- HondaCer CARFAX X ba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCR2F3 DA0041522013 Honda Accord Aug. 28, 2014 0:00http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- Honda Cer CARFAX Xba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCR2F5 DA250188 2013 HondaAccord Aug. 29, 2014 0:00 http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- HondaCer CARFAX X ba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCS1B3 BA0143952011 Honda Accord Jul. 29, 2014 0:00http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- Honda Cer CARFAX Xba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCS1B7 CA000345 2012 HondaAccord Aug. 30, 2014 0:00 http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- HondaCer CARFAX X ba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO 7763 1HGCS1B7 BA0161702011 Honda Accord Aug. 25, 2014 0:00http://images.auction123.com/114b3b95- Honda Cer 2 Ownersba50-41e7-b0e3-117e85255b86/1HGO

A sample feed file for a particular user (e.g., car dealer) may be usedto determine which columns are of interest in a feed file for that userand to create a configuration record for that user. One method of makingthe initial determination is to inspect the sample feed file and examinethe feed file's header row, determining the names of the columns, ifprovided, that represent a vehicle's VIN, stock number, date (includingdate format), make, model, and photo URLs, for example. A subset of thecolumns may be used for filtering the products (e.g., vehicles) for thatparticular user (e.g., car dealer) listed in feed files for the user. Aconfiguration record is then created for that user, to be used whenprocessing feed files for the user. The following example algorithm maybe used when extracting the relevant data from the relevant columns/rowsof a feed file.

--Extraction Algorithm-- read vin_column_name from config record readstock_column_name from config record read make_column_name from configrecord read model_column_name from config record read photos_column_namefrom config record read filter_column_name from config record readfilter_column_name_2 from config record read date_column_name fromconfig record read filter_value from config record read filter_value_2from config record read date_format from config record read min_datefrom config record vin_column_num = −1 stock_column_num = −1make_column_num = −1 model_column_num = −1 photos_column_num = −1filter_column_num = −1 filter_column_num_2 = −1 date_column_num = −1first_row = true for row in feed_file:   if first_row:    first_row =false    for i = 0 to number of columns in row: if row[i] ==vin_column_name: vin_column_num = i if row[i] == stock_column_name:stock_column_num = i if row[i] == make_column_name: make_column_num = iif row[i] == model_column_name: model_column_num = i if row[i] ==photos_column_name: photos_column_num = i if row[i] ==filter_column_name: filter_column_num = i if row[i] ==filter_column_name_2: filter_column_num_2 = i if row[i] ==date_column_name: date_column_num = i if row[i] == vin_column_name:vin_column_num = i   else: skip = false vin = row[vin_column_num] ifstock_column_name == −1:   stock = ‘ ’ else:   stock =row[stock_column_num] photos = row[photos_column_num] iffilter_column_num == −1:   filter1 = ‘ ’ else: filter1 =row[filter_column_num] if filter_column_num_2 == −1:   filter2 = ‘ ’else: filter2 = row[filter_column_num_2] if date_column_num == −1:  date = ‘ ’ else: date = row[date_column_num] if vin in master list ofexcluded vins:   skip = true if not skip:   if vin in customer's list ofexcluded vins:    skip = true if not skip:   if filter_column_num != −1:   if row[filter_column_num] != filter_value:     skip = true if notskip:   if filter_column_num_2 != −1:    if row[filter_column_num_2] !=filter_value_2:     skip = true if not skip:   if date_column_num != −1:   if row[date_column_num] < min_date:     skip = true if not skip:   ifvin has been previously processed:    if row has not changed since vinwas last processed:     skip = true    if reprocessing is disabled:    skip = true if not skip:   if number of photos < minimum number ofphotos required:    skip = true if not skip:   process this vin --EndExtraction Algorithm--

The configuration record for a particular user (e.g., car dealer) mayinclude a definition of a particular sequence in which the exterior,interior, and other (e.g., close-up) images, provided by the user viathe feed file, are arranged. The particular sequence may be definedusing sequence strings, which specify the order of photos for either theexterior view, the interior view, or close-up images. Each sequencestring follows a sequence grammar, an example of which is describedbelow. A sequence string consists of one or more substrings separated byspaces, for example. A substring may be in one of the following forms(Table 3), where m and n are integers:

TABLE 3 Example Sequence Grammar Substring Interpretation n The nthphoto :n The first through the nth photo n: The nth through the lastphoto m:n The mth through the nth photo

The sequences may be modified by qualifiers, such as “˜” and “−”. Atilde (˜) may mean to reverse a sequence. For example, “˜m:n” mayrepresent the nth through the mth photo. A minus sign (−) may mean tocount from the end of the sequence. For example, “−3” could mean thethird-to-last photo. This capability is advantageous, because the totalnumber of photos is not always known in advance.

Consider a user-provided photo set consisting of images. The followingare some example sequences according to the above grammar:

“3 5 6:10”=images 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

“3 5˜6:10”=images 3, 5, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6

“:5”=images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

“16:”=images 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

“−3:”=images 18, 19, 20

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for generating aninteractive rotatable 360-degree view of an object, according to anexample embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated method 200is similar to the method 100 of FIG. 1, but includes optional additionaland/or related processes. According to the example method 200, a useruploads (205) photos of an object to a third-party feed provider. Thefeed provider generates (210) a feed file for that user that includes alist of photo URLs. The feed provider transmits (215) the feed file to aserver. The present embodiments then detect (220) the arrival of thefeed file, download (225) the photos listed in the file, and read (230)user configuration settings for the user. The example method 200 maythen resize (235) the photos and rearrange (240) the photos in aparticular sequence. A data file is then generated (245) in accordancewith the user's configuration settings and combined (250) with thephotos. The combined files are then uploaded (255) as an interactiverotatable 360-degree presentation.

FIGS. 3A-3C are flow diagrams illustrating an example method 300 ofautomatically rearranging a plurality of images into at least onesequence that includes ordered images from a plurality of viewingangles, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Theexample method 300 of FIGS. 3A-3C may be implemented in element 115 ofFIG. 1 or element 240 of FIG. 2. The example method 300 of automaticallyrearranging the images may begin with downloading (305) the images, orthey may already be downloaded. The first sequence may be an exteriorsequence (310), which starts with an empty list (315). The examplemethod obtains (320) a sequence string for the images, reads (325) theformatting for the string for the particular user, stores the string,and splits (330) the string at each delimiter (e.g., whitespace).Starting with the first substring (335, 340), it is determined (342) howmany numerical values are in the substring. If the substring containsone numerical value, the substring is appended (344) to a list ofindices. If the substring contains two numerical values, the first andsecond values are determined (346, 348), and it is further determined(350) whether the substring begins with a character indicating reverseorder (e.g., a tilde “˜”). If the substring does not begin with acharacter indicating reverse order, the range of indices is appended(352, 356) to the list in the order of the substring; however, if thesubstring begins with a character indicating reverse order, then therange of indices is appended (354, 356) to the list in the reverse orderof the substring. If there are more substrings (358, 360), then theprocess (340-356) is repeated for each substring. If the substring wasthe last substring (358, 360), then the images indicated in the list ofindices are stored as the sequence for the exterior sequence of images,and the process (320-362) is repeated for interior (366) and close-up(368) sequences.

Hotspots displayed in images of an interactive rotatable 360-degreepresentation allow users to access additional media elements (e.g.,close-up images, text descriptions, URLs and/or additional interactiverotatable 360-degree presentations) associated with specific features ofthe rotating object. A user (e.g., car dealer) can manually createhotspots for a particular 360-degree presentation; however, theresulting hotspots may apply only to the particular 360-degreepresentation. Often, a user would like one or more hotspots to apply toall of their 360-degree presentations. These can be referred to asstandard hotspots. Similarly, a user may wish one or more hotspots toapply to all of their 360-degree presentations that meet certaincriteria. These can be referred to as conditional hotspots. An exampleuse of a conditional hotspot by a car-dealer user could be to access aclose-up image of the cargo area for all Ford vehicles. The addition ofstandard hotspots and conditional hotspots to 360-degree presentationsis automated, in that a user, or other entity on the user's behalf, candefine standard and conditional hotspots once, and the hotspots are thenautomatically applied to all applicable 360-degree presentations forthat user.

To define a standard hotspot, a user may indicate a name for thehotspot, an optional text description, optional close-up image, optionalURL, and the (x,y) coordinates of the hotspot on each image of the360-degree presentation where it is visible. This information is storedin the configuration record for the user. To define a conditionalhotspot, a user can create a hotspot as if the user were creating astandard hotspot, as above. The user can then make the hotspot aconditional hotspot based on certain criteria for a product. Forexample, in the case of vehicles, the hotspot may be conditional basedon a vehicle's make or model.

The defined standard and conditional hotspots are automatically appliedto a user's 360-degree presentations. While processing a user's feedfile, the present embodiments identify a Vehicle Identification Number(VIN), in the case of vehicles for example, for which a 360-degreepresentation is to be created. Any standard hotspot data is obtainedfrom the user's configuration record, and the standard hotspot data isstored as part of the 360-degree view (e.g., in a JavaScript ObjectNotation (JSON)-formatted file). Any conditional hotspot data isobtained from the user's configuration record, and the conditionalhotspot data is stored as part of the 360-degree presentation (e.g., inthe JSON formatted file). The present embodiments may obtain additionaldata regarding the user's product (e.g., the vehicle's make and model)from the feed file and store the additional information in (e.g., in theJSON-formatted file). When a viewer views the resulting 360-degreepresentation, the standard hotspot data, conditional hotspot data, andadditional information (e.g., make and model) are read from theJSON-formatted file, for example. Upon displaying each image of therotating 360-degree presentation, each hotspot that meets certaincriteria is displayed. For example, if the hotspot is a standard hotspotand is visible on the current image, then the hotspot is displayed. Ifthe hotspot is a conditional hotspot, is visible on the current image,and the vehicle's make or model is found in the conditional hotspot'sdefinition of makes or models, then the hotspot is displayed.

The following is an example of hotspot data for two hotspots in JSONformat:

--Example Hotspot Data--

-   -   {“i”:[{“name”: “Climate Control”, “models”: [“A4”], “url”:        “http://www.audiusa.com/help/video-tutorials#dtufilters/vehicleName/a4        cabriolet/vehicleTutorial/all/”, “coords”: [null, [0.5225,        0.5622641509433962]], “closeup”:-1, “makes”: null,        “description”: “ ”}, {“name”: “Concert Radio”, “models”: [“A4”],        “url”:        “http://s7d9.scene7.com/e2/Audiusastaging/Video/DTU/2014/Desktop/03_AUDI        %20 DTU_CONCERT_RADIO 720p_Desktop.mp4”, “coords”: [null,        [0.4475,0.47924528301886793]], “closeup”:-1, “makes”: null,        “description”: “ ”}]}

-- End Example Hotspot Data--

FIGS. 4A-4C are flow diagrams illustrating adding hotspot(s) to image(s)in a sequence and displaying the hotspot(s), according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A illustrates an examplemethod 400 of manually defining standard hotspots for images of one ormore sequences. Starting with the first image (402, 404, 406), if thehotspot feature is to be visible on the image (408), a user selects(410) a location of the hotspot feature on the image, for example, byclicking using a mouse and monitor. The image is then advanced to thenext image (412, 414), and other such locations are selected for eachimage on which the hotspot feature is visible (406-410). When all imageshave been processed (414, 422, 406), additional information is providedfor the hotspot feature, including, for example, a text description,URL, or close-up image (416, 418). The information for the hotspotfeature is then stored (420) for display within the 360-degreepresentation.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example method 430 of automatically addingstandard hotspots to images of one or more sequences. A sample360-degree presentation for a particular user is selected (432), andhotspots may be defined (434) as in the method 400 of FIG. 4A. Aconfiguration file for the particular user is selected (436), modified(438) with the hotspot definition data, and stored (440). When a new360-degree presentation is created (442) for the user, the hotspot datastored in the configuration file for the user is applied (444) to thenew 360-degree presentation, and the hotspot data is stored (446) withthe new 360-degree presentation.

FIG. 4C illustrates an example method 450 of displaying hotspot(s) onimage(s) of a sequence. According to the example method 450, hotspotdata is read (452) for a particular 360-degree presentation, and thepresentation is initialized (454). If it is determined that it is timeto display a next image (456; see method 500 of FIG. 5A), then the imageis displayed (460, 462), and if any hotspots are defined for the image(464), the hotspot(s) are displayed (466) on the image. If it isdetermined that it is not time to display the next image (456), then itis determined whether a viewer has selected to display another image(458; see method 530 of FIG. 5B). If a viewer has selected to displayanother image (458), then the image is displayed (460, 462), and if anyhotspots are defined for the image (464), the hotspot(s) are displayed(466) on the image.

Once the images of the object have been obtained, resized if needed, andarranged in the proper sequence, the images are merged into one or moreviews of the object that are part of an interactive rotatable 360-degreepresentation. One example way of merging the images is to create afolder on a server (e.g., an Amazon Simple Storage Service bucketconfigured as a static web server). The main folder's name may uniquelyidentify the object (e.g., for a vehicle, by using the vehicleidentification number, such as “19uua86559a012993”). A subfolder named“img,” for example, can be created in the main folder. A furthersubfolder under the “img” subfolder can be created for each view of theobject (e.g., for a vehicle, subfolders named “ec” representing anexterior view with doors closed, and “i” representing an interior view).Additional further subfolders under “img” named “closeups” and“closeup_thumbs” may be created. The images for each view of the objectare assigned filenames in the proper sequence (e.g., 0-0.jpg, 0-1.jpg,etc.). Close-up images are assigned filenames in the proper sequence(e.g., cu-0.jpg, cu-1.jpg, etc.). The images for each view are uploadedto the corresponding subfolders under “img” (e.g., to “img/ec” and“img/i”). The images for close-up photographs are uploaded to“img/closeups.” Smaller versions of the close-up images, each with thesame filename as the corresponding larger image, are uploaded to“img/closeup_thumbs.” It should be appreciated that alternativedirectory and file names may be used.

An HTML file named “index.html” can be created in the main folder. Thisfile redirects the user's web browser to a separate web page thatincludes HTML, JavaScript, and CSS code for displaying interactiverotatable 360-degree presentations. Upon redirection, URL parametersidentify the location of the current presentation. The following is anexample index.html file:

-- Example index.html File--

-   -   <script>location.href=“http://static.swipetospin.com/20140725/#        http://”+location.host+‘/’+location.pathname.substring(location.pathname.charAt(0)==‘/’).replace(‘index.html’,”)+#nocache′;</script>

-- End Example index.html File--

A JSON-formatted file named info.json can also be created in the mainfolder. This file contains data that controls the behavior of theinteractive rotatable 360-degree presentation (e.g., speed of rotation,locations of hotspots, etc.). The following is an example info.jsonfile:

-- Example info.json File--

{“make”: “Acura”, “yin”: “19uua86559a012993”, “options”:{“refreshRate”:130, “skipI”: false, “viewerType”: “vehicle”, “features”: “ri”:[{“coords”: [[0.22, 0.4325], null, null, null, null, null, null, null,null, null, null, [0.52, 0.4325]], “closeup”: 24, “description”: “ ”,“name”: “Mileage”}, {“coords”: [[0.5166666666666667, 0.475], [0.13,0.545], null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null,[0.8166666666666667, 0.475]], “closeup”: 25, “description”: “ ”, “name”:“Radio/navigation”}], “std”: [ ], “eo”: [ ], “ec”: [{“coords”:[[0.5016666666666667, 0.675], [0.19166666666666668, 0.625],[0.16166666666666665, 0.5725], [0.14833333333333334, 0.525], null, null,null, null, null, null, null, [0.6283333333333333, 0.635]], “closeup”:26, “description”: “ ”, “name”: “Wheel”}, {“coords”: [null, null, null,null, null, null, [0.88, 0.57], [0.8666666666666667, 0.6975],[0.6666666666666666, 0.785], [0.4266666666666667, 0.785]], “closeup”:27, “description”: “ ”, “name”: “Tire tread”}, {“coords”:[[0.7216666666666667, 0.395], [0.4766666666666667, 0.465],[0.31166666666666665, 0.4475], [0.22166666666666668, 0.4325], null,null, null, null, null, null, null, [0.7716666666666666, 0.355]],“closeup”: 28, “description”: “ ”, “name”: “Driver-side door (open)”},{“coords”: [null, null, [0.8766666666666667, 0.385],[0.8083333333333333, 0.3775], [0.5016666666666667, 0.3575],[0.20666666666666667, 0.3625], [0.14333333333333334, 0.3975]],“closeup”: 29, “description”: “ ”, “name”: “Trunk”}, {“coords”: [null,null, null, null, null, [0.7766666666666666, 0.3725], [0.715, 0.43],[0.5383333333333333, 0.48], [0.3383333333333333, 0.4425],[0.23833333333333334, 0.3675]], “closeup”: 30, “description”: “ ”,“name”: “Passenger-side door (open)”}, {“coords”: [[0.19333333333333333,0.505], null, null, null, null, null, null, null, [0.8516666666666667,0.5025], [0.7516666666666667, 0.495], [0.48, 0.515],[0.2633333333333333, 0.475]], “closeup”: 31, “description”: “ ”, “name”:“Engine”}]}, “numImgEO”: 0, “numlmgl”: 12, “watermark_position”: 0,“feature_button_suffix”: “ ”, “numImgStd”: 0, “numImgEC”: 12,“customCSS”: “ ”, “skipEO”: true, “carousel”: true, “flickDecay”: 0,“sizeW”: 600, “invertRL”: false, “uiColor”: “#333333”, “mouseOver”:false, “sizeH”: 400, “contact_form”: false, “imgH”: 426,“numImgCloseup”: 48, “ext”: “.jpg”, “imgW”: 6401, “model”: “TL”,“walkaroundVersion”: “20140725”, “stock”: “ ”}

-- End Example info.json File--

The following is an example directory tree for the folder containingimages for an interactive rotatable 360-degree presentation, index.htmlfile, and infojson file:

-- Example Directory Tree -- 19uua86559a012993/   index.html   info.json  img/    closeup_thumbs/     cu-0.jpg     cu-1.jpg     ...    cu-47.jpg    closeups/     cu-0.jpg     cu-1.jpg     ...    cu-47.jpg    ec/     0-0.jpg     0-1.jpg     ...     0-11.jpg    i/    0-0.jpg     0-l.jpg     ...     0-11.jpg -- End Example DirectoryTree --

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow diagrams illustrating rendering a rotation ofthe interactive rotatable 360-degree presentation of an object,according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Wheninitially displayed, the 360-degree presentation may automaticallyrotate clockwise (see e.g., FIG. 5A), but a viewer can drag the360-degree presentation using a mouse or touchscreen to manually rotatethe presentation clockwise or counterclockwise (see e.g., FIG. 5B). In acase in which the 360-degree presentation includes both exterior andinterior images, for example, an exterior view may initially bedisplayed. The viewer can click or tap an icon, for example, to switchto an interior view. As described in the above examples, hotspots canhighlight specific features of the rotating object, and automaticallyfollow the appropriate point on the object as it rotates. In addition, a“carousel” of images may display thumbnail images of selected details ofthe object.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example method 500 for automatic rotation of a360-degree presentation. According to the example method 500, the360-degree presentation is initialized to display the first image (502,504, 506), and an interval timer is started (508). When an interval haselapsed (510), the next display angle for the 360-degree view isdetermined (512, 514, 516). If the next display angle results in thenext image needing to be displayed (518), then the next image isdisplayed (520).

FIG. 5B illustrates an example method 530 for manual rotation of a360-degree presentation. According to the example method 530, the360-degree presentation is initialized to display the first image (532,534, 536, 538). When a drag event is received (540), the initialx-position of the drag event is stored (542), and as the drag eventprogresses (544, 546), the distance of the drag is determined (548). Asa viewer of the 360-degree presentation changes drag directions (550),the direction of the resulting rotation also changes (552). The nextdisplay angle for the 360-degree presentation is determined based on thedrag distance (554, 556, 558), and if the next display angle results inthe next image needing to be displayed (560), then the next image isdisplayed (562). The method repeats (546-562) upon receiving more dragevents.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a system 600 for generating aninteractive rotatable 360-degree presentation of an object, according toan example embodiment of the present invention. The example system 600includes an interface 630 that obtains data describing the object 605(e.g., from a source accessible by the Internet 650), where the data 605includes information about images 610 of the object to be obtained andconverted into the interactive rotatable 360-degree presentation 620 ofthe object, and additional information about the object. The interface630 also obtains a plurality of images 610 of the object. The systemfurther includes a processor 625 that automatically rearranges theplurality of images 610 into at least one sequence 615, where a sequence615 includes ordered images from a plurality of viewing angles of theobject substantially evenly distributed around 360 degrees. Theprocessor 625 also automatically determines whether to add at least onehotspot to at least one image in the at least one sequence 615, and ifthe at least one hotspot is to be added, the processor 625 automaticallyadds the at least one hotspot to the at least one image. The processor625 further automatically merges the ordered images of the at least onesequence 615 into at least one view of the object, and merges the atleast one view into an interactive rotatable 360-degree presentation 620of the object.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a computer system 700 in whichembodiments of the present invention may be implemented. FIG. 7illustrates a system 700 that includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)702, a computer monitor 704, a keyboard input device 706, a mouse inputdevice 708, and a storage device 710. The CPU 702, computer monitor 704,keyboard 706, mouse 708, and storage device 710 can include commonlyavailable computer hardware devices. For example, the CPU 702 caninclude an Intel or AMD based processor. The mouse 708 may haveconventional left and right buttons that a user may press to issue acommand to a software program being executed by the CPU 702. As analternative or in addition to the mouse 708, the computerized system 700can include a pointing device such as a trackball, touch-sensitive pad,or pointing device and buttons built into the keyboard 706. Those ofordinary skill in the art appreciate that the same results describedherein with reference to a mouse device can be achieved using anotheravailable pointing device. Other appropriate computer hardware platformsare suitable as will become apparent from the discussion that follows.Such computer hardware platforms are preferably capable of operating theMicrosoft Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 7,8, etc., UNIX, Linux, or MAC OS operating systems. The computerizedsystem 700 may include network hardware and software, thereby enablingcommunication to a hardware platform 712, and facilitating communicationbetween numerous computer systems that include a CPU and a storagesystem, among other computer components.

Software (e.g., processes 100, 200, 300, 400, 430, 450, 500, and 530 ifimplemented in software) may be stored on the storage device 710 andloaded into and executed by the CPU 702. The software allows a user tocreate and modify an interactive rotatable 360-degree presentation andimplements aspects of the invention described herein. The CPU 702 usesthe computer monitor 704 to display aspects thereof as described. Usingthe keyboard 706 and the mouse 708, a user can enter and modify dataassociated with the interactive rotatable 360-degree presentation. TheCPU 702 accepts and processes input from the keyboard 706 and mouse 708.The CPU 702 processes the input along with the data associated with theinteractive rotatable 360-degree presentation and makes correspondingand appropriate changes to that which is displayed on the computermonitor 704 as commanded by the software.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or incombinations thereof. Apparatuses may be implemented in a computerprogram product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage devicefor execution by a programmable processor, and method steps may beperformed by a programmable processor executing a program ofinstructions to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output. Embodiments of the invention may advantageously beimplemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processorcoupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data andinstructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, andat least one output device. Each computer program may be implemented ina high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or inassembly or machine language if desired; in any case, the language maybe a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, byway of non-limiting example, both general and special-purposemicroprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions anddata from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory, and in someembodiments instructions and data may be downloaded through a globalnetwork. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computerprogram instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory,including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM,EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal harddisks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks. Anyof the foregoing may be supplemented by, or incorporated in,custom-designed ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).

An additional aspect of the disclosed methods and systems is that theyallow for automated capture of analytics data. Users may receiveanalytics reports containing data such as: (1) the number of vehicledetail pages (VDPs) without 360-degree presentations viewed, and thetime spent viewing these pages, (2) the number of VDPs with 360-degreepresentations viewed, and the time spent viewing these pages, (3)hotspots that were clicked by users, and the time spent viewing theresulting media elements, and (4) the list of VDPs, 360-degreepresentations and hotspots viewed by a particular viewer who hassubmitted a contact request form to the user (e.g., car dealer). Inorder to include 360-degree presentations on their websites, users(e.g., car dealers) may, for example, add a script tag (an HTML tag thatloads JavaScript code) to their VDPs. Due to the presence of this scripttag, the present embodiments may capture data to support analyticsreports. The user (e.g., car dealer) doesn't need to take any action toenable this data capture; the data is fully automated.

An example data capture process may work as follows: The presentembodiments' JavaScript code inserts an HTML iframe tag into the VDP.This is the analytics iframe. The JavaScript detects whether a360-degree presentation is available. If so, the JavaScript code insertsa second HTML iframe tag into the VDP. This is the 360-degreepresentation iframe. Within each of the iframes, the JavaScript codemakes an HTTP request to an analytics server associated with the presentembodiments. The analytics server hosts a web application that listensand responds to HTTP requests. In response to each HTTP request, the webapplication creates or updates a record in the analytics database. Theserecords are the basis for analytics reports.

Each HTTP request contains data such as: (1) a unique alphanumericidentifier that anonymously identifies each individual viewer, (2) theevent that occurred, one of: viewing a VDP, viewing a 360-degreepresentation, viewing a feature via clicking a hotspot or carouselthumbnail, ceasing to view a feature, or leaving the page, (3)descriptive data associated with the event, such as the URL of the pagevisited, the VIN of the vehicle displayed in a 360-degree presentation,or the name of the feature viewed, or (4) the time at which the eventoccurred.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the scope of the inventionencompassed by the appended claims. For example, while the foregoingexamples have been described in the context of car dealers and vehicles,it should be appreciated that the present embodiments can be used in anyindustry where it is desirable to create 360-degree presentations ofobjects.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for generating aninteractive rotatable 360-degree presentation of an object, the methodcomprising: obtaining, from a first source, data describing the objectcontained in a record including a plurality of data arranged in rows andcolumns, each of therows corresponding to respective different objects,the data describing the object including (i) information about aplurality of images of the object to be obtained and converted into theinteractive rotatable 360-degree presentation of the object and (ii)additional information about the object, wherein obtaining the datadescribing the object includes (i) determining which columns of theplurality of data include the information about the plurality of imagesof the object to be obtained, (ii) determining which columns of theplurality of data include the additional information about the object,and (iii) determining which row of the plurality of data corresponds tothe object by comparing data contained in the columns that include theadditional information about the object with predetermined criteria;automatically obtaining the plurality of images of the object from asecond source separate from the first source, the second source of theplurality of images of the object being specified by the informationabout the plurality of images of the object; automatically resizing theplurality of images such that the plurality of images are of a commonsize; automatically rearranging the plurality of images into at leastone sequence, the at least one sequence including ordered images from aplurality of viewing angles of the object distributed around 360degrees, by (i) determining the order for the ordered images based onpredetermined information corresponding to the object including anotation describing which images from the plurality of images should beincluded in the at least one sequence and in which order, (ii) selectingimages from the plurality of images that correspond to an exterior viewof the object for inclusion in the at least one sequence, and (iii)selecting images from the plurality of images that correspond to aninterior view of the object for inclusion in an additional sequence ofthe at least one sequence; automatically determining whether to add atleast one hotspot to at least one image in the at least one sequence,and if the at least one hotspot is to be added, automatically adding theat least one hotspot to the at least one image, the at least one hotspotbeing associated with a separate media element and enabling access tothe separate media element when selected by a viewer of the interactiverotatable 360-degree presentation of the object, by (i) determining aposition for the at least one hotspot on the at least one image based onthe predetermined information corresponding to the object, (ii)determining the separate media element based on the predeterminedinformation corresponding to the object, the separate media elementbeing at least one of a text, an additional image, a video, a web pagelink, and an additional rotatable 360-degree presentation, and (iii)adding the at least one hotspot if the additional information about theobject meets certain criteria from the predetermined criteria;automatically merging the ordered images of the at least one sequenceincluding exterior images into an exterior 360-degree view of theobject; automatically merging the ordered images of the additionalsequence including interior images into an interior 360-degree view ofthe object; and automatically merging the exterior 360-degree view ofthe object and the interior 360-degree view of the object into theinteractive rotatable 360-degree presentation of the object.
 2. Acomputer-implemented method for generating an interactive rotatable360-degree presentation of an object, the method comprising: obtaining,from a first source, data describing the object, the data describing theobject including (i) information about a plurality of images of theobject to be obtained and converted into the interactive rotatable360-degree presentation of the object and (ii) additional informationabout the object; automatically obtaining, in response to obtaining thedata describing the object, the plurality of images of the object;automatically rearranging the plurality of images into at least onesequence, the at least one sequence including ordered images from aplurality of viewing angles of the object distributed around 360degrees, wherein automatically rearranging the plurality of images intothe at least one sequence includes: selecting images from the pluralityof images that correspond to an exterior view of the object forinclusion in a first sequence of the at least one sequence, andselecting images from the plurality of images that correspond to aninterior view of the object for inclusion in a second sequence of the atleast one sequence, automatically determining whether to add at leastone hotspot to at least one image in the at least one sequence, and ifthe at least one hotspot is to be added, automatically adding the atleast one hotspot to the at least one image, the at least one hotspotbeing associated with a separate media element and enabling access tothe separate media element when selected by a viewer of the interactiverotatable 360-degree presentation of the object; automatically mergingthe ordered images of the at least one sequence into at least one360-degree view of the object; and automatically merging the at leastone 360-degree view of the object into the interactive rotatable360-degree presentation of the object.
 3. A computer-implemented methodas in claim 2 wherein: the data describing the object is contained in arecord including a plurality of data arranged in at least one row and atleast one column, each of the at least one row corresponding torespective different objects; and obtaining the data describing theobject includes (i) determining which columns of the plurality of datainclude the information about the plurality of images of the object tobe obtained, (ii) determining which columns of the plurality of datainclude the additional information about the object, and (iii)determining which row of the plurality of data corresponds to theobject.
 4. A computer-implemented method as in claim 3 whereindetermining which row of the plurality of data corresponds to the objectincludes, for each row, comparing data contained in the columns thatinclude the additional information about the object with predeterminedcriteria.
 5. A computer-implemented method as in claim 2 whereinautomatically obtaining the plurality of images of the object includesobtaining the plurality of images of the object from a second sourceseparate from the first source of the data describing the object, thesecond source or the plurality or images or the object being specifiedby tile information about the plurality of images of the object.
 6. Acomputer-implemented method as in claim 2 wherein automaticallyrearranging the plurality of images into the at least one sequenceincludes determining the order for the ordered images based onpredetermined information corresponding to the object.
 7. Acomputer-implemented method as in claim 6 wherein the predeterminedinformation corresponding to the object includes a notation describingwhich images from the plurality of images should be included in the atleast one sequence and in which order.
 8. A computer-implemented methodas in claim 2 wherein automatically merging the ordered images of the atleast one sequence includes (i) automatically merging the ordered imagesof the at least one sequence including exterior images into an exterior360-degree view of the object, and (ii) automatically merging theordered images of the additional sequence including interior images intoan interior 360-degree view of the object.
 9. A computer-implementedmethod as in claim 2 wherein automatically adding the at least onehotspot to the at least one image includes determining a position forthe at least one hotspot on the at least one image based onpredetermined information corresponding to the object.
 10. Acomputer-implemented method as in claim 9 wherein automatically addingthe at least one hotspot to the at least one image includes determiningthe separate media element based on the predetermined informationcorresponding to the object, the separate media element being any oftext, an additional image, a video, a web page link, and an additionalinteractive rotatable 360-degree presentation.
 11. Acomputer-implemented method as in claim 10 wherein automatically addingthe at least one hotspot to the at least one image includes adding theat least one hotspot if the additional information about the objectmeets certain predetermined criteria.
 12. A computer-implemented methodas in claim 2 further including automatically resizing the plurality ofimages such that the plurality of images are an appropriate size for theinteractive rotatable 360-degree presentation.
 13. A system forgenerating an interactive rotatable 360-degree presentation of anobject, the system comprising: an interface configured to: obtain datadescribing the object, the data describing the object including (i)information about a plurality of images of the object to be obtained andconverted into the interactive rotatable 360-degree presentation of theobject and (H) additional information about the object; and obtain aplurality of images of the object; and a processor configured to;automatically rearrange the plurality of images into at least onesequence, the at least one sequence including ordered images from aplurality of viewing angles of the object distributed around 360degrees, wherein automatically rearranging the plurality of images intothe at least one sequence includes: selecting at least one image fromthe plurality of images that correspond to an exterior view of theobject for inclusion in a first sequence of the at least one sequence,and selecting at least one image from the plurality of images thatcorrespond to an interior view of the object for inclusion in a secondsequence of the at least one sequence, automatically determine whetherto add at least one hotspot to at least one image in the at least onesequence, and if the at least one hotspot is to be added, automaticallyadd the at least one hotspot to the at least one image in the at leastone sequence, the at least one hotspot being associated with a separatemedia element and enabling access to the separate media element whenselected by a viewer of the interactive rotatable 360-degreepresentation of the object; automatically merge the ordered images ofthe at least one sequence into at least one 360-degree view of theobject; and automatically merge the at least one 360-degree view of theobject into the interactive rotatable 360-degree presentation of theobject.